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When I was just 10, I read about a feature in my community gazette about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my birthplace of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum distributed flyers, my dad organized the music. From that point, domestic competitions have been staged globally, with the titleholders assembling in Oulu each August.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the competition was in a bar, and there would be an older crowd. They believed it might be an overwhelming atmosphere, but I was set on it.

In my youth, I was always miming air guitar, miming along to the biggest rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and U2. the Australian rockers was the original act I stumbled upon myself. the lead guitarist, the guitar hero, was my inspiration.

As I took the stage, I performed my act to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started shouting “Angus”, similar to the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a music icon. I advanced to the last round, performing to a large audience in the town square, and I was addicted. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

Later I paused. I was a adjudicator one year, and opened for the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I returned at 18, experimented with various stage names, but fans continued using “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve made it to the final annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to take the title this year.

The worldwide group is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. Though it appears humorous, but it’s a genuine belief.

The contest is competitive but uplifting. Participants have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, perfect mime, performance charm – on an nonexistent axe. Adjudicators rate you on a point range from four to six. In the case of a tie, there’s an “air-off” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you create on the spot.

Preparation is everything. I chose an Avenged Sevenfold song for my routine. I listened to it on a loop for a long time. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body loose enough to leap, my hands nimble enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. When the event dawned, I could sense the music in my bones.

When the show concluded, the scores came in, and I had matched with the Japanese champion, a competitor known as Sudo-chan – it was time for an air-off. We competed directly to that classic rock anthem by the rock group. As the music started, I felt relieved because it was a tune I recognized, and primarily I was so thrilled to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

My memory is blurry. I think I blacked out from shock. Then the crowd started singing the song that well-known track and hoisted me on to their backs. A former champion – also known as Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my dear companions, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar international titleholder in 25 years. The prior titleholder, Markus “Black Raven” Vainionpää, was also present. He offered me the most heartfelt squeeze and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a family. Our motto is “Make air, not war”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. Participants come from many countries, and each person is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, all participants comes and hugs you. Then for 60 seconds you’re allowed to be uninhibited, silly, the top performer in the world.

Besides that, I'm a percussionist and guitarist in a group with my family member called the band name, named after Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of British music genres. I’ve been bartending for a couple of years, and I produce short films and performance clips. The victory hasn’t affected my daily activities drastically but I’ve been doing a many interviews, and I wish it brings more artistic projects. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

At present, I’m just grateful: for the community, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “That's for me.”